School Abuse Case Moves to Jury Trial

A judge has cleared the way for a lawsuit against an elite California private school to go before a jury, after rejecting the school's request to keep the matter in closed arbitration.

Case Overview

• Plaintiff: A 7‑year‑old girl, referred to as E. K.
• Allegations: Repeated targeting by older classmates in a student‑run “kissing club” that operated inside the school’s bathrooms.
• Key Claims:
• The school failed to supervise, allowing sexual acts such as kissing, genital touching and oral contact among minors.
• Staff did not report incidents to authorities or notify families in a timely manner, violating California’s mandatory reporting laws.
• The alleged organizer of the club is no longer enrolled but was not formally expelled.

Parental Discovery

• Parents Max and Pantea discovered the abuse through their own investigations.
• They assert the school never informed them, allowing the problem to continue unchecked.

School’s Response

• Denies wrongdoing and claims it takes student safety seriously.
• States that concerns raised in the summer of 2024 have already been reviewed.

Financial Context

• Tuition ranges from $48,000 to $52,000 per year for upper‑school students.
• The school’s celebrity clientele, including the Jenner family, has drawn public attention.

Next Steps

With arbitration rejected, the case will now enter discovery. Both sides will exchange evidence and conduct depositions in preparation for a possible jury trial.